Area Opinions

Perry's run for president costs Texas

Posted: December 31, 2011 - 1:06am

Perry’s run for president costs Texas

If the governor leaves Texas for brief periods, few taxpayers would question a law that allows the lieutenant governor to receive about $400 per day for acting as the state’s chief executive. But that law didn’t envision something like Gov. Rick Perry’s extended campaign for president.

Perry has been out of the state for about 80 days so far — drawing his full salary and earning Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst about $33,000 extra.

There ought to be a better way to handle this situation.

Perry, for example, could allow Dewhurst’s $400 daily bump to be subtracted from his salary.

Perry and Dewhurst are conservatives who preach the need for fiscal restraint and sacrifice during tough times.

This might be a good occasion for them to show it.

Beaumont

Enterprise

Punish those preying on public support

Punish anyone preying on public support of state troopers

The Texas Highway Patrol Association has no relation whatsoever with the Texas Highway Patrol or the Department of Public Safety. The Texas Highway Patrol Museum that the association supposedly supports, located just south of downtown, barely qualifies as a museum.

The telemarketing organizations behind the association and museum have relied on public confusion to raise millions of dollars — ostensibly for the museum’s operation and to provide assistance to the families of troopers who have died in the line of duty. In fact, the overwhelming majority of the funds raised have gone to telemarketing, executive pay and other expenses.

In October, Express-News staff writer John Tedesco reported that less than 1 percent of the money raised by the telemarketers actually ended up in the hands of the intended beneficiaries.

Now Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed suit against the groups, accusing them of defrauding donors and misspending funds on cigars, liquor, meals, personal travel, luxury car leases and even the veterinarian bill for a cat. ment officers.

The Department of Public Safety has a special notice on its website warning the public not to get fleeced by this operation.

The attorney general’s legal action against them is both welcome and overdue.